1. Introduction
Disaster resettlement is a recovery and preparedness measure for people that cannot live in their original location due to prevailing risks [
1]. Due to the complex interests in these resettlements, significant economic, physical, and social impacts can heighten the possibility of social risks and conflicts during and after resettlement. For example, in some parts of China, residents may perceive different probability levels associated with disaster-related risks and their potential consequences, and may have different levels of self-confidence about how to protect themselves from loss. Residents mainly resort to shangfang (petitioning high-level government authorities to appeal perceived unfair actions), jingzuo (sit-ins on the doorsteps of government buildings or on highways and railways to obstruct transportation), demonstrations, parades, or propagandizing their appeals by refusing to be resettled [
2,
3,
4]. These problems continue to challenge a comprehensive understanding of disaster resettlement.
Communication and interactions inside and outside of communities are critical components of disaster management [
5,
6,
7,
8]. Risk communication is a critical way to reduce risk, and the efficiency of risk communication depends on improving the influx of information and understanding individual needs. However, only a few studies have explored what motivates individuals to participate in risk communication interactions and to seek information about the risks associated with them. To fill this research gap, a new direction has emerged in risk communication research [
9,
10,
11,
12], focusing on risk information seeking behavior at the individual level. Several studies have focused on individuals seeking risk information. The most commonly used model is the risk information seeking and processing (RISP) model because it provides predictors related to individual information and risk behavior status [
11].
This study contributes to disaster resettlement research. Disaster resettlement has been discussed in the literature [
1,
13,
14,
15,
16]; however, few studies have centered on China. China often suffers from floods [
17]. More than 1000 flood disasters have occurred in China, in locations such as the Nen River, Songhua River, and the Yangtze River. This number has exceeded the world average, causing serious losses of life and property [
18]. More than 100 large and medium cities are inundated by floods, causing approximately USD 17 billion in economic losses each year [
19]. In 2011, the Chinese government launched a disaster mitigation and preparedness program called the Resettlement of South Shaanxi (RSS), which is the largest disaster resettlement in the country’s history. This program was launched to assist the cities of Ankang, Hanzhong, and Shangluo, located in the hinterland of the Qinling Mountains, south of Shaanxi Province, China. This area has experienced serious flood- and earthquake-related disasters. In addition to the serious impact of geological disasters, the RSS involves a wide range of areas and complex interests and relationships. Insufficient risk communication on specific issues, such as livelihoods and resettlement plans, can become a fuse that triggers resentment during resettlement. This may also increase the possibility of social risks and conflicts. Therefore, based on the RISP model and structural equation model (SEM), this study examined individual risk information seeking, and explored two research goals to help improve risk communication in the disaster resettlement process. The first goal was to describe risk information seeking behaviors in the RSS. The second was to identify the main determinants of RSS risk information seeking behavior.
This paper has six sections. Following this introduction,
Section 2 reviews information seeking models and key model components, and then proposes the research hypotheses and a conceptual model of risk information seeking behavior.
Section 3 introduces the data and method.
Section 4 discusses the research findings. The last section presents our conclusion and discusses the limitations, future studies, and implications of this research.
5. Conclusions
This study focused on the public’s information seeking behavior in the context of resettlement in South Shaanxi, China. Based on previous information seeking models, the study tested empirical relationships between information seeking behavior and other determinants. The mediating role of information sufficiency has also been examined in the information seeking process. A total of 616 valid surveys were collected from respondents in Ziyang County in Ankang City, China. A structural equation model was used to statistically test several hypotheses, reflecting the different relationships of the hypothesized model in
Figure 2. This section discusses the conclusions and implications.
Firstly, there is currently one primary channel to support resident information seeking in the RSS, which mainly relies on the village committees and officials. Moreover, residents invest significantly greater effort compared to other methods to seek information through this channel. ICTs, such as Weibo and WeChat, are underutilized. The main channel for information seeking, however, differs from the level of trust associated with the channel. In addition, there is a mismatch between the primary channel and the most trusted channel associated with information seeking behavior. The main channel for information is village committees and officials; however, residents trust news broadcasts most. This deviation often significantly affects the efficiency of information dissemination and the reliability of information content, hindering the effective circulation of RSS information.
Secondly, relevant channel beliefs, information sufficiency, perceived hazard characteristics, and self-efficacy significantly directly influence risk information seeking behavior in the RSS: (1) relevant channel beliefs significantly positively impact information seeking behavior. According to the specific situation of the RSS, the public has a higher level of trust in news broadcasts, relatives and family, and village committees and officials. The study found the public is more willing to obtain RSS-related information using the above traditional information channels and is willing to invest time, money, and effort to obtain that information. In the process of visiting residents, we found that this result was mainly due to the low acceptance and utilization rate of modern information channels and the insufficiency of network infrastructure in rural areas. (2) Information sufficiency significantly negatively influences public information seeking behaviors in the RSS. This result aligns with previous research. The more thoroughly the public understands the content and possible problems with RSS-related policies and measures, and the more fully the relevant background information is obtained, the fewer efforts they will make to seek information. (3) Perceived hazard characteristics significantly positively impact public information seeking behavior. In implementing RSS-related policies and measures, the public will actively search for possible risks or harms caused by the RSS to avoid losses caused by a lack of information. Moreover, the stronger the sense of crisis and insecurity is, the more active and positive information seeking behavior is. This is embodied in the increasing frequency of searching for and exploring policy supporting measures, compensation standards, and future planning of the RSS. (4) Self-efficacy has a significantly positive effect on information seeking behavior in the RSS. The stronger the public’s sense of control over the possible risks brought by the RSS is, and the more confident they are in dealing with the risks, the lower the frequency of information seeking behavior, and the less effort they will invest in information seeking behavior.
However, information-gathering capacity has non-significant direct influences on information seeking behavior of the RSS which have not been consistently found in previous research. There are two possible reasons for this: (1) previous studies mainly focused on potential risk settings. Ziyang County in the RSS was selected as the focus of the study because it is located in a plate fault zone, and has experienced numerous disasters, including earthquakes, floods, and mudslides. Local governments and relevant departments have made continuous efforts to communicate disaster information and emergency preparedness plans to local residents through different channels. The rich information environment has led some residents to feel they have enough knowledge about disaster avoidance and resettlement. This leads to a reduced need for information and a cessation of information seeking behavior. This may explain why information-gathering capacity has a non-significant direct influence on the public information seeking behavior of the RSS. (2) With the increase in the frequency of earthquakes, floods, and mudslides and the change of resettlement policies, residents’ attitudes towards RSS have evolved from initial nervousness, worry, and anxiety to numbness and less attention. This has led to a decrease in information seeking activities.
Lastly, in the exploration of a mediating effect, perceived hazard characteristics and self-efficacy drive risk information seeking behavior in both direct and indirect ways through information sufficiency. In the RSS, respondents reported that the higher the level of perceived unknown risks and uncertainties is, the lower the level of information they have about RSS policies and future livelihood restoration measures. At the same time, under the threat of unknown risks and uncertainties, people are motivated to actively search for information, such as resettlement planning and subsidy standards. Additionally, when the respondents’ perceptions of the unknown risk of resettlement is certain, and if the respondents believe they can control the negative impact of the unknown risk to themselves and reasonably resolve it, then their confidence level is relatively high. This reduces their efforts to conduct information seeking behavior. Therefore, in contrast to other contexts [
29,
62], in the RSS, we conclude that self-efficacy and perceived hazard characteristics have an indirect effect on information seeking behavior in the RSS through information sufficiency.
Several implications emerge from this study: (1) post-disaster resettlement is an important step in improving the resilience of communities and regions. Resettlement protects residents from future disasters, including earthquakes and floods, and engages the sustainable development of residents’ livelihoods. Research results indicated that information sufficiency played a noteworthy mediating role in the RSS process. Therefore, disaster resettlement should pay more attention to information disclosure and risk communication during the process. (2) The difference between the information channels used by residents, and the channels most trusted by residents, was highlighted. This difference may greatly affect the efficiency of information dissemination and the reliability of information content in disaster resettlement.
In the future, risk managers can make timely adjustments to information disclosure channels, based on the characteristics of the different stages of disaster management and risk governance. For example, in the emergency preparedness stage, information channels with large coverage and low costs can be used, such as village committee notices and posters and emergency training and lectures. During the emergency response stage, channels with strong persistence and high resident trust can be adopted. This includes news broadcasts, household notifications, and visits. In the disaster resettlement and recovery stage, sustainable and diversified information dissemination channels should be adopted, such as enhancing the use of ICT platforms. This would include paying attention to classification guidance, based on different residents’ information-gathering capacities, willingness, and preferences in choosing the most suitable channels.
Additionally, we recommend that communication strategies and content should also be focused on during the disaster resettlement process. In terms of communication strategies, as most resettlement occurs in rural areas, residents have a low level of knowledge and poor livelihoods. This greatly affects the ability to understand policy content, compensation schemes, and future planning. This, in turn, causes cognitive gaps and potential risks between the government and the public. Therefore, in the disaster resettlement process, especially in rural areas, risk managers should avoid using obscure official jargon and encourage mass media to promote more user-friendly images, videos, and other information via ICT platforms based on playing a leading role in traditional information channels, like news broadcasts. In terms of communication content, based on the results in
Section 4.4.1, we recommend that it is beneficial to first publicize the advantages and disadvantages of the disaster resettlement, and then engage in specific and technical outreach, such as scope and geographical conditions.
Like all studies, this research had some limitations, which should be considered when reviewing its conclusions and implications: (1) resettlements in Shaanxi Province involve Ankang City, Hanzhong City, and Shangluo City in the south of Shaanxi Province, and some regions in the north of Shaanxi Province. This study included only respondents in Ankang City; no other regions were involved. Future studies should consider other areas. (2) The study involved respondents in Ankang City in August 2019, but the estimated duration of the RSS is 10 years. Therefore, information seeking behavior by immigrant respondents has not been assessed during different stages of RSS. This is an opportunity for future studies. Despite these limitations, this study is important because it enriches the risk information seeking behavior and risk communication research in the context of disaster resettlement.